Well-sinking apparatus.



M. T. CHAPMAN.

WELL smme APPARATUS.

APPLICATIORFILED MAY 16, 19 10. I i Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

e BHEETSSHEET 1.

Mayer/far:

M. T. CHAPMAN. wELf. SINKING APPARATUS. APPLIUATIOH'IILED MAY 16, 1910.

Patented No v. 25, 1913.

e alums-sum 2.

M..T. CHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAiI 16, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

punmw. hHLlLlllll a \i II IITiT l l 72 7 7 A v 55 i i Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

M. T. GHAPMAN.

WELL SINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1910.

1,079,396, Patented Nov. 25,1913.

6 SHEETBSHEET 4.

M. -T. CHAPMAN. WELL SINKING APPARATUS. APPLIOATION IILiED MAY 16, 1910. 1,079,395 Patented Nov. 25, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

M.-T. CHAPMAN. -WBLL smxme APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION'IILED MAY 16, 1910.

Patented Nov. 25, 1913,

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6;

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

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WORKS, 013' vLIJ'iBIOiR A, ILLINOIS, A CORP-QBAIIION 0F ELLINQIS. I

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Specification of Letters Patent.

mamas. 25, 1-913.

Application filed May 16, 1910. Serial No. 561,596.

ployed for gripping and rotating the pipe in the various operations that must be performed, such as rotating the pipe for boring the well, and for supporting sections of the pipe in coupling or disconnecting the sections.

My improvements relate more particularly .to the construction of thet-urntable which carries the pipe gripping and supporting devices; to the devices for engaging theapipe so as to hold it againstrotation, as is-necessary when one section is being-coupled to another; tothe mechanism for gripping the pipe forrotating it either in boring the well or when one section isbeing connectedto or disconnected from another; and to mechanism for supporting the pipe as occasion may require.

I accomplish my object as illustrated in the drawings and as hereinafter described.

What I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1' is a side elevatlon, some parts being broken away; Fig. 2 is a;plan view of the turntable, somev parts being in section, and the coverplate being removed; Fig. 3 is a View of the gripping mechanism taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig.1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, being a partial horizontal sectional view showing the construction of the gripping mechanism; Fig. 5 is an edge view of one ofthe swinging arms or members of the grippin mechanism; Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectiona. view of a part of the gripplng mechanism taken on line 6,-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a face view of the parts shown in ferent sizes.

ping one of the pipe couplings; Fig. 12 is a plan view, partly in section, of the parts shown in Fig.- 11; Fig. 13 is'an enlarged deta l, being a partial vertical section of the gripping devices for holding the well-tube or p pe against rotation; Fig. 14 is a plan view, partly in section; of the parts shown in Fig: 13; Fig. 15 is apartial vertical sec tion of the.upper portion of'the turntable, being substantlally a section on line 1515 of Fig. 16; Fig. 16 is a partial plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 15; and Fig. 17 is an enlarged detail, being a partial horizontal section or one of the grippin members, showing the'arrangement for a apting the gripping devices to fit pipe of different sizes.

Referring to the drawings, 18 indicates the bed-plate or base of the turntable, which is preferably mounted on a suitable frame or support 19 and is provided with an upwardly-extending annular sleeve 20, asbest shown in Fig. 1. Saidsleeve is provided at its upper-edge with a series of notches 21 arranged at} suitable intervals, which are adapted to receive downwardly-projecting lugs 22 carried by a cover-plate '23 which is notches 26 for holding the pipe against rotation, as hereinafter described. The coverplate 23 is removable, so that if desired vcover-plateshaving different sized openings 24 may be ex'npl'o ed with well-tubes of dif- T e bed-plate 18 with the sleeve 20 and cover-plate 23 constitute the stationary member of the turntable. The rotary-member of the turntable is composed of a vertically-disposed sleeve 27 .which fits adapted to fitv upon the upper edge of the Said coverplate 1 around the outside of the sleeve 20 and is extending flange 31 carried by the bed-plate and a downwardly-extending flange 32 carried by the flange 28,.as best shown in 1. The rotary member 27 is held down by a shown in Fig. 2. The rotary member 27 is caused to rotate by means of an annular rack 35 provided near its upper margin, said rack being engaged by a pinion 36 mounted on a drive-shaft 37, said shaft having a bearing in a standard 38, as shown in Fig. 1. Obviously, by rotating the shaft 37 the rotary member 27 will be caused to rotate, traveling upon the rollers 29. By mounting the rotarymember; outside of the stationary I claimed in my pendin member in the manner described, it is prevented from being accidentally displaced, and, moreover, the central opening for the passage of the pipe may be made much larger than'in former constructions.

.39 40 indicate upright posts carried at opposite sides of the rotary member 27, which posts carry the devices for gripping the well-tube, as hereinafter described.

41 42 indicate lower and upper sections of the well-tube, which are' united by a screw-threaded coupling 43, as shown in Fig. 1.

.44 indicates a clamp for supporting the well-tube when connecting or disconnecting two sections thereof and for holding the lower section against rotation in either direction Said clamp is composed of two members hinged together at one side by a pivot 45 .and adapted to be secured together at the other side by a latch in the form of a swinging link 46, whichis mounted in and embraces lugs47, 48 projecting from the two' members of the clamp, as described and application Serial No. 483,264, filed Marc 13, 1909. The interior diameter of the clamp 44 is substantially the same as the exterior diameter of the well-tube, so that when said clamp is secured upon the well-tube below the coupling 43 it is adapted to rest upon the cover-plate 23 and support the well-tube. For the purpose of lockin the clamp 44 against rotation when resting on said cover-plate, it is provided atopposi'te sides with depending I lugs 49'ewhich fit in the notches formed by the'lugs 25 rising from the cover-plate, as shown inj Figs. 1 and 10. Thus the clamp .44 isheld" fixedly against rotation, but may readily be disconnected from the cover-plate when desired by lifting the well-tube slightly. In orderv to hold the well-tube against rotation in either direction when the clamp 44 is in position thereon, the members of said clamp are provided with gripping disks 50, preferably arranged in pairs, one above another, as shown in Figs. 10 and 13. Said disks are flat, except that at the clamp opposite sides of the centers thereof they are provided with bosses 51, as best shown in Fig. 14. The edges of the disks are sharp and they are made of hardened steel, so that they are adapted to bite into the well-tube when they engage the same angularly. Said disks are mounted in suitable pockets 52 provided to receive them, the outer walls of said pockets being inclined downward and inward so that the disks 50, when placed in said pockets, are naturally thrown into engagement with the well-tube. The inner edges of said pockets are provided with inwardly-projecting flanges 53 adapted to engage the bosses 51 and prevent t e disks 50 from falling out of the pockets when the clamp is removed from the well-tube. Preferably the two disks 50 are of different diameters, the smaller one being fitted in the lower portion of the ocket where it is shallower, as shown in ig. 13. It will be apparent that gravity will operate to normally hold the disks 50 in engagement with the well-tube when the clamp 44 is in place thereon, and that any attempt to rotate the well-tube will deflect the disks laterally so as to cause one or the other of their edges to engage the well-tube and bite into it, thereby holding it against rotation. In order-to release the well-tube and permit ofits rotation when desired, rocking levers 54 are provided in the pockets 52, said levers extending under the several disks, as shown in Fig. 13, so that by depressing any given lever the disk overlying it may be lifted and moved out of engagement with the well-tube. In order to hold the coupling 43 against rotation when desired, I have provided the 44 with similar devices for engagin it and holding it, 55 indicating a tapere pocket adapted to receive a disk 56 similar to the disks 50. The pockets 55 are placed higher up and are set farther out than the pockets 52, as best shown in Fig. 11, and consequently they are in a osition to engage the coupling 43. Pre erably two of each of the pockets 52 and 55 are provided, as shown in Fig. 8. Each of the pockets 55 is also provided with a lever 57 by which the disk 56 may be moved out of engagementwith the coupling 43.

58indicates lugs projecting at opposite sides of the clamp 44, said lugs being preferably in the form of eyes which may be engaged by hoisting mechanism for lifting the clamp and well-tube.

For the purpose of rotating the well-tube in sinking the well or for rotating the upper section 42 of the well-tube in connecting or disconnecting sections thereof, I employ gripping mechanism which will now be described. 59 60 indicate coacting grippinglevers, which are in part semi-circular m form and are pivotally mounted upon the posts-39, 40, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

so that if desired the levers '59 60 may be i,ovo ',see

Said levers are adapted to slide longitudinally of their respective posts, and in order to control the freedom with which they slide thereon I provide brakes 61 which are fitted in suitable boxes '62 with which said levers are provided and are adapted to in Fig; '4. "The brakes 61 may be pressed againsttheir'respectiveposts by screws 63 fitted in said boxes 62, as shown in Fig. 4,

permitted to slide freelyupon the posts or me be secured thereon so that they do not sli e at all. Each of the brakes 6l comprises a brake-shoe 64 adapted to bear on the post, a nubberblock or cushion-65 which bears against the shoe, and a plate'66 inter-" posed between said cushion and -the endof the screw 53, thus providing a degree of flexibility in the action of the brake. ""67 in-" dicates a handle for rotating the screw 63;

The two levers 59 60, when in operative position, extend at opposite sides of the well tube and are connected together by swinging bolts 68 69, the bolt 68 being pivoted to the lever 60 near the post 39 and being" adapted to fit in a slot provided in the. outer end of the lever 59, while the bolt 69 is pivoted in a corresponding post on the lever 59 and enters a slot in the end of the lever 60, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Said slots are indicated in Fig. 4by the number 70. Each of the bolts 68 69 is provided' with a nut' 71 which bears against the outer end of the lever which the free end of said bolt engages, as shown in Fig. 4. By adjusting the nuts 71 upon their respective bolts, the levers 59 60 may be caused to clamp the well-tube more. or less tightly, as desired. Each of the levers 59 60 is channeled, being composed of a vertical web'72 and upper and lower inwardly-projecting flanges 73 74, as shown in Fig. 6. The curved portions of said flanges 73 74 are provided with serrations or teeth 75, as

shown in Figs. 4 and 5,'for better securing the gripping devices thereto, as hereinafter. described. 76 indicates gripping heads which carry teeth 77 which engage and bite into the well-tube to hold it against rotation, as hereinafter described. Said heads 76 are in the form of blocks of steel, or

; adapted to embrace the well-tube and adapted to non-rotatably engage the cover-plate,

other suitable material, the outer surface of which is provided with serr'atedportions78 adapted to engage the serrations of the levers 59 60. Said heads fit against the inner faces of the flanges73 74 between overlapping lips 79 80, asshown in Fig. 6, and areheld in positionby bolts 81 which are adjustably secured in slots 82 in the levers 59 60, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The heads 76 are providedwith suitable grooves to receive the teeth 77, which are short lengths of steel either square, triangular or otherwise angular in cross-section, and are held tube and in such position that such-edge extends longitudinally thereof. Preferably each head carries four'teeth 7.7, said teeth being arranged in upper and lower pairs ,held a art by the head '83 of the bolt 81', bear against their respective posts, as shown f ends of said teeth and prevent displacement thereof in an outward direction. Any dee sired number of heads 76 may be employed, and the number of teeth carried by each head may, of course, be varied. Further more, the position of the several heads with respect to each other may'bevaried, as the heads may be adjusted upon their respective levers to "move them closer together or far ther apart.

For operating upon small sizes of pipe, it I may be necessary to set the heads 76 farther from theinner faces of the leversfi59 60 than in the construction shown in Figs. 3

and 4, and in order to provide for the use of my improved apparatus on even the ,smallest sizes of pi e I employ a series of auxiliary heads or blocks 84, which are best shown in Fig.17. Said blocks are segmental and-are provided with serrations on both broad faces, so that-they may be interposed between the head 76 and the flanges 7 3 74 of the gripping levers in the manner shown in Fig. 17. Thus the head76 may be set as far in as may be necessary to sescure a proper grip upon the well-tube. In order to remove-the gripping levers from the well-tube,'it is necessary only to release one or both of the bolts 68 69, and by adj usting such bolts the force with which the well-tube is pleasure.

My invention is not restricted to the construction shown and described, except in so far as it is particularly claimed, but includes generically the subject-matter of the broader. claims.

That which I claim as m invention, and

lar sleeve, a turntable mounted on the base,

a detachable cover-plate mountedupon and non-rot-atably engaging said sleeve, a clamp and means carried by said clamp for holding the well-tube against rotation.

gripped maybe regulated at li y n en a ement w th a d cent-pla .nd e ns elr' d y a d mn 9 baldin I aa' l -tub again'st rotation i In a Wellink n a ara the, c mb aa ion o sta i n ry b w cl mp, adap ed a m a e t e ell-tub mea non-re away wn etm a base, grip n de lces carried by said da p a difi rti dis an fr m th i he wane forn e ng h we -tube d bi irlin th of for he d z g t e 1 s m table. for engaging and gripping the .welltube for rotating the same.-

5. In a'well-si king apparatus, the combination of a stationary base, a clamp adapted to embraoethe well-tube, means nonrotatably connecting said clamp with said base, rippin devices carried by said clamp at di erent istances from the axis of the well-tube forengaging the well-tube and a coupling thereof for; holding the same against rotation, a turntable mounted on said base, and vertically-movable means carried by the turntable for engaging and rotatin the well-tube.

"6. n a well-sinking apparatus, the combination of a stationary base, a clamp adapted to embrace the well-tube, means nonrotatably connecting said clamp with said base,gr1ppi devices carried by said clamp at different istances from the axis of the well-tube for engaging the well-tube and a coupling thereof for holding the same against rotation, a turntable mounted on said base, upright posts carried by the turntable, and gripping mechanism for grippin the well-tube for rotating the same, sai gripping mechanism being mounted on said posts and movable longitudinally thereof.

7. A gripping .device for non-rotatably I engaging a tube, comprising a suitable support adapted to embrace the tube, said support having one-or more pockets open toward the tube, and one or more disks loosely fitted in said pockets and having one or more sharp ed es adapted to engage the tube and grip t e same.

8. A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging a tube, comprising a suitable support adapted to embrace the tube, said support having one or more pockets open toward the tube, and one or more disks loosely fitted in said pockets and having one or more sharp edges adapted to engage the a d mp wi h aid engaging a tu adapted to embrace the tube, said clamp havnmat s! t b and gr p t ame the a of d Pk pp te id p ng being n li ed inward and downward.

9. A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging a tube, comprising a suitable support adapted to embrace the tube, said support having one or more pockets open toward the tube, one or more disks. loosely fitted in said pockets and having one or more sharp edges adapted to engage the tube and grip the same, the wall of said ocket opposaid opening being incline inward and downward, bosses carried at the sides of said disks, and means carried by said pockets for engaging said bosses to prevent said disks from escaping from said pockets.

10. A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging a tube, comprising a suitable support adapted to embrace the tube, said support having one or more pockets'open toward the tube, one or more disks loosely fitted in said pockets and having one or more sharp edges adapted to enga the tube and rip the same, and means or lifting said isks out of operative position.

11. A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging a tube, comprising a suitable support adapted to embrace the tube, said support having one or more pockets open toward the tube, one or more disks loosely fitted in said pockets and having one or more sharp edges adapted to engage the tube and grip the same, and a lever for lifting said disks out of operative position.

12. A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging atube, comprising a support adapted to embrace a tube, said support ing one-er more pockets open toward the tube, and a plurality of disks mounted one above another in said pockets and adapted to engage the tube, said disks havin one or more sharp edges adaptedto grip t e tube. 13, A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging a tube, comprisin a support adapted to embrace a tube, sai support having one or more pockets open toward the tube a pluralit of disks mounted one above anot er in said? pockets and adapted to engage the tube, said disks havin one or more sharp edges adapted to grip t e tube, and means for lifting said disks out of operative position. i

14. A gripping device for non-rotatably engaging a tube, comprising a sup ort adapted to embrace a tube, said support aving one or more pockets open toward the tube, a pluralitv of disks mounted one above another in said pockets and adapted to engage the tube, said disks having one or more sharp edges adapted to rip the tube, and levers for lifting said di s out of operative position.

15. A gripping device for non-rotatably e, comprising a hinged clamp ing one or more pockets open toward the tu e, and one or more disks loosely fitted in said pockets and having one or more sharp edges adapted to engage the tube and grip the same.

16. A gripping device for well-tubes, comprising a clamp adapted to embrace the Well-tube below one of the couplings thereof, and gripping means carried by said clamp at different heights and at difl'erent distances from the center thereof whereby said gripping devices are adapted to grip the well-tube and the coupling. 1

17. A gripping device for well-tubes, com

prising a clamp adapted to embrace the Well-tube below one of the couplings thereof, pockets carried by the clamp at different heights and at different distances from the center thereof, and disks loosely mounted in said pockets and adapted to engage and grip the Well-tube and the coupling thereof.

MATTHEW T. CHAPMAN.

Witnesses:

H. W. SPELER, M. C. CHAPMAN. 

